Halal Development Corporation Berhad and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote collaboration in Halal industry development, trade facilitation, and small and medium enterprise (SME) growth between the two nations.
This marks a new phase of partnership between Malaysia and Azerbaijan, focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and Halal ecosystem enhancement. Both parties will leverage their expertise and networks to support the expansion of halal products, services, and investments across borders.
Under the agreement, HDC and KOBİA will jointly implement initiatives to strengthen halal
Industry participation through, capacity building and training for halal SMEs in both countries. co-organization of events such as conferences, roadshows, and seminars to share best practices. Information exchange to enhance halal industry knowledge and compliance. Market facilitation, enabling Malaysian halal companies to explore opportunities in Azerbaijan and vice versa.
HDC Chief Executive Officer, Hairol Ariffein Sahari, said the collaboration with KOBİA represents another milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to internationalize its Halal ecosystem. “Through this partnership, HDC continues to expand Malaysia’s halal footprint globally. By combining Malaysia’s experience in developing a structured halal ecosystem with Azerbaijan’s growing SME and trade landscape, we are paving the way for new opportunities that benefit both economies.”
The partnership supports Malaysia’s Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, which aims to create new and larger market opportunities for Malaysia’s halal products and services, positioning the nation as a leading global halal hub and enhancing its contribution to the global Halal economy, projected to reach USD 5 trillion by 2030.
Malaysia’s halal exports continue to grow steadily, reaching RM61.79 billion in 2024, an increase of 15% from RM53.72 billion in 2023. In the first half of 2025 alone, Halal exports exceeded USD 7 billion (approximately RM29.3 billion), contributing about 16% of the nation’s total exports.
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Azerbaijan has also gained momentum — Malaysia’s
exports to Azerbaijan surged 173% in 2024 to USD 24.9 million, showing a strong market
potential and renewed investor confidence.
